Most of us will have an opinion on where the best place to live in Essex is. Some people will prefer the idyllic tranquillity of the countryside, while others may go for somewhere closer to busy town and shopping centres.
What's on guide Muddy Stilettos caused a stir last week when it released its list of places it considers to be the best to live in outside of London. A total of eight places in Essex were selected - with some surprising inclusions and omissions.
The chosen few are spread pretty evenly across the county, with Chelmsford, Thaxted, Wivenhoe and Manningtree all making the list. These areas are also joined by Mersea Island, Stock, Leigh-on-Sea and Saffron Walden.
Nestled in the heart of Essex, Chelmsford is the county’s first city. There's a busy and thriving High Street with lots of shops, excellent transport links, and great bars and restaurants. And at the opposite end of the spectrum - Thaxted is the epitome of a quaint countryside village, straight out of Midsommer Murders (but without the murders, thankfully).
Essex is one of the best places to live, in our opinion. There is something, and somewhere, for everyone, from quaint little villages to three busy and thriving cities.
Essex's history has always been an important part of the county's identity, with Roman remains in Colchester through to the Medieval tower of Layer Marney. We also have a stunning 350 miles of coastline, perfect for a brisk dog walk along the beach or a family day out at the seaside.
And, being on the border with London, Essex is hugely popular with commuters too. This makes Essex one of the most sought after locations on the UK property market, with excellent train services from Chelmsford and elsewhere in the county.
Chelmsford
Nestled in the heart of Essex, Chelmsford is the county’s first city. There's a busy and thriving High Street with lots of shops, excellent transport links, and great bars and restaurants.
On the outskirts of the city is some rolling countryside for when you need some clean air and green space. Muddy Stilettos say: "In short: it’s a superb all-rounder and one of the best places to live if you want everything on your doorstep (guilty)."
The guide highlights food and drink spots The Wine Cellar Bar & Bistro in Duke Street for an intimate dinner with cocktails, and The New London Restaurant & Lounge for fine dining and celebratory afternoon teas. A Canteen on New London Road is the place to go for a brunch, along with live jazz performances.
But it's not just the busy city life that makes it a top place to live, there are also beautiful attractions right on the doorstep. The Hylands Estate provides a beautiful backdrop, popular for walkers and joggers. The sprawling grade II listed public park is complete with an elegant Neo-Classical villa and 574 acres of historic park and woodlands.
And for those looking to settle down with a family, Chelmsford is packed with some of the top-performing schools in the UK. New Hall School is at the top of the list, along with grammars Chelmsford County High School for Girls and King Edward VI Grammar School for boys in Broomfield Road. Moulsham High School, Chancellor Park Primary and Perryfields Junior School are also well known for their positive Ofsted reports.
How much does it cost to live here?
Muddy Stilettos say: "Prices have risen steadily over the past ten years, but they’re still a far cry from the levy placed on most London postcodes. Period homes here range from around £362,000 for a two-bed terrace, to £800,000+ for a four-bed semi-detached (ouch).
"Meanwhile, the average price for a detached property in the wider area currently stands at £647,549."
And for the commuters wanting to live outside of London, it's only a 35-minute train journey direct into London Liverpool Street. But living 40 miles out of the capital will cost you, though, as annual season tickets with Greater Anglia start from £4,480.
Thaxted
Thaxted is the epitome of a quaint countryside village, straight out of Midsommer Murders (but without the murders). Muddy Stilettos say: "Cobbled streets, medieval architecture and thriving indie shops – Thaxted is an under-the-radar Essex gem with great commuter links."
It's home to historic local pubs, perfect for a pint after a brisk dog walk in the surrounding fields, along with some proper pub food at decent prices. There are also lots of places for a cream tea, and don't forget to head to the local butcher and baker on the High Street for a hot bacon roll.
Full of history with its landmark Grade-I listed Guildhall, Thaxted has a winding, historic High Street with lots of independent shops.
How much does it cost to live here?
The average price of houses sold in Thaxted over the last year was £548,719, which isn't out of the ordinary for a commuter county. Detached properties sold for an average price of £638,000 semi-detached properties sold for an average of £472,250 and terraced properties fetched on average £375,000.
Wivenhoe
Wivenhoe is found on the River Colne, around 3 miles from the city of Colchester. It exudes waterside charm and sophistication, with quayside cottages, resident artist lofts and a cosmopolitan mindset, according to Muddy Stilettos.
There are a range of great food and drink options here, including The Olive Branch in Station Road, offering Syrian vegan dishes, Maison Mollie for gelato, cake and milkshakes with the kids, and the brasserie, bar and restaurant at Wivenhoe House for fine dining.
Close to Colchester, it's easy to head over to the new city for a day of shopping, to visit the animals at Colchester Zoo, and to be cultural by exploring Essex's Norman history at Colchester Castle.
How much does it cost to live here?
Terraced homes are £338,762, it’s £328,181 for an average semi-detached family house, or £457,788 for a detached property. Houses with riverside views in Lower Wivenhoe demand the highest price tags, though, and often range from £500,000 to a cool £1mil.
So if you agree that Chelmsford is one of the best places to live outside of London get in touch with the experts in the Chelmsford property market - Kiln and Lodge Estates
